Liverpool Irish Festival returns this October with theme of ‘arrivals’

Liverpool Irish Festival is back from 16–26 October 2025 with more than 30 events across the city, celebrating Irish arts, culture and heritage. The UK’s largest Irish arts festival is expected to welcome 8,000–10,000 visitors over its ten-day run.

The Festival opens with the world premiere of a documentary and book, Reveal, exploring the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail. Both are the result of three years of research, including documenting The Walk of the Bronze Shoes pilgrimage from Ireland to Liverpool.

This year’s theme, ‘arrivals’, focuses on migration, settlement, belonging and new ideas, while also marking the 180th anniversary of the Irish Famine.

Highlights across the programme include:

• Heritage: New walking tours alongside the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail vigil and Great Hunger memorial (26 Oct), with a performance of commissioned song The Ullaloo.
• Theatre: Gráinne Hunt brings Queer Arrivals to The Unity (17 Oct), David Gilna presents Did I Ever Tell Ya at Liverpool’s Royal Court (22 Oct), plus productions from Green Curtain Theatre and more.
• Music: World-Folk band Dallahan close the festival at Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room (26 Oct). Traditional sessions take place at Peter Kavanagh’s and The Druids return with storytelling at Liverpool Irish Centre.
• Literature: The first ever Literary Salon welcomes award-winning novelist Eimear McBride in conversation online from 16 Oct. The John McGahern Annual Book Prize (19 Oct) celebrates new Irish fiction, and a year-long Ulyssesshared reading group launches.
• Family: A Family Day at Museum of Liverpool (25 Oct) includes performances from The Armagh Rhymers and local dance schools. The Samhain Céilí (26 Oct) promises spooky fun for all ages.
• Visual arts: Four exhibitions take place across the city region, from Birkenhead’s Rathbone Studio to Bluecoat Display Centre and Northern Lights.

The Festival officially launches at Liverpool Irish Centre on 16 October with previews of the programme, hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Helen Jones.

Emma Smith, Artistic Director and CEO of the Festival, said:
“This year marks a significant milestone. ‘Arrivals’ allows us to explore both historical and contemporary journeys – from Irish Famine refugees who found sanctuary in Liverpool to modern stories of identity and belonging. The world premiere of our documentary represents years of dedicated research, while launching our first Literary Salon with Eimear McBride signals our expanding ambitions.”

For the full programme and tickets, visit www.liverpoolirishfestival.com.

Keep up to date with the latest events around the city here.

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